An assistant manager for a Dollar General store in Clarksville, Tennessee has been arrested and charged with raping two women after he allegedly detained them for shoplifting merchandise in the store, according to authorities.
The Clarksville Police Department has reported in a news release that 38-year-old Robert Lindlau allegedly witnessed the women, aged 44 and 32, shoplifting various merchandise from the store. Lindlau stopped the women and escorted them to a management office in the back of the store, locking the door and telling them that he had contacted police but that it would be an hour or more before authorities would arrive to arrest the women.
Authorities say Lindlau never contacted police regarding the shoplifting incident.
While in the office, authorities claim that Lindlau told the women to undress. After complying with his demands, they were allegedly fondled by the suspect. Both women were then forced to perform oral sex on Lindlau according to reports. Clarksville Police say that the women claim that they “were in fear for their safety and felt that they had no choice but to comply with Mr. Lindlau’s demands.”
Following the alleged assault, Lindlau told both women to put their clothing back on and instructed them to leave the store, according to authorities. Lindlau then allowed the women to leave the store with some of the merchandise that they had tried to steal from the store during the shoplifting incident.
Lindlau was arrested on January 19th and indicted on two rape counts as a result of the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred back on March 17, 2015. He was released on $20,000 bond and is due back in court on February 8th.
Authorities are requesting that if anyone knows of any similar incidents involving Lindlau, they should call the Clarksville Police Department at 931-648-0656 Ext. 5269, or CrimeStoppers at 931-645-TIPS (8477).